Rhetorical Analysis: Yes We Can

Torian Fields
Mr. McPhatter
English 111
30 September 2012

Rhetorical Analysis: Yes We Can

On August 28, 2008 at the democratic national convention, Barack Obama stunned the political world with his "yes we can" speech. President Obama's speech rallied the democratic community and gave him the edge he needed to win the election in 2008. He is now known as a world leader, and he has had a great impact not only in the United States but in the entire world.
In 2008 the word going through everyone's mind was "change". Obama launched his change campaign to promote a new and refreshing change in the United States. Obama promised to get the US out of the economic depression that our ...

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the nation. This inspiration was the reason why the country saw an unprecedented amount of people, young and old, rich and poor, black and white come out and volunteer for the Obama campaign. He begins his speech by thanking other democratic leaders and showing gratitude for making it this far. He expresses his happiness for being elected as the democratic candidate. He ends the introduction by saying "We are hungry for change and ready to believe again". This statement makes this audience wonder what needs to be changed.
Obama continues his speech by addressing the numerous problems facing America at the time. He provides anecdotes for healthcare, Gas prices, War on Iraq and education. He uses different stories about average, middle class Americans. He refers to a Dunkin Donuts employee, a laid off Maytag factory worker, and a parent competing with a teenager for a part time job. These stories make the speech sound more personal and help the listener relate a lot better. Obama ...

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